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Happy: Robbie Fulks Plays The Music of Michael Jackson

An album of Michael Jackson covers done in an eye (and ear)-opening array of styles.

Full Description

Chucking irony and snark to the curb, Robbie digs into Jacko's songs and reveals (or reminds us) what an truly remarkable songwriter he was.

And even though "Thriller" isn't on the album, you should do yourself a favor and watch Robbie (with Nora O'Connor) perform it with a full zombie cast at the Hideout Block Party

"The collection takes a dizzying variety of approaches to Jackson’s songs, including bluegrass, power pop, blues-rock, and country. “Privacy,” with outre guest vocals from Azita Youssefi, stitches together several styles, colliding dark psychodrama with “Monster Mash” ghoulishness. But the best cut is “Billie Jean,” which Fulks gives the singer-songwriter treatment, underlining the creepiness of the lyrics and giving them an emotional wallop. The performance rises and falls like good theater, with Fulks’s tone alternating between defensive and defeated, and despite the bare-bones acoustic arrangement the song’s chorus is still gorgeous and irresistible." - Chicago Reader

Short Description

Many of Fulks's covers are reinterpretations. Simplicity and slowness lend "Billie Jean" a chilling atmosphere that boils to a fiery rage. Its lyrics are easily forgotten (or danced away) in the original, but Fulks masterfully brings the focus back to the song's narrative.

— Washington Post

Reveals the many dimensions of Jackson’s catalog, from playful to paranoid, and filters them through multiple styles, including country soul, bluegrass, power balladry, and art rock.

— Chicago Magazine

The performance rises and falls like good theater, with Fulks's tone alternating between defensive and defeated, and despite the bare-bones acoustic arrangement the song's chorus is still gorgeous and irresistible.